Among the 22 firefighters taking part in the event, Melville’s Lloyd King will be strapping on his helmet and life vest to compete against the waves and the scores of others for bragging rights.

Mr King will compete alongside colleagues from the Fremantle Fire Station including Rob Hoskings, Cameron Famlonga and Derick Stevenson.

Mr Famlonga, of Beaconsfield, said he had completed the Avon Descent a number of times because he enjoyed the sense of accomplishment he felt at the finish line.

‘Having your family and friends there to congratulate you at the finish line makes the hundreds of hours training worthwhile,’ he said.

‘Finishing the Avon Descent is a great sense of personal achievement and the training and preparation allows us to deal with the physical and mental stresses of race day, but finishing the event still gives a great sense of satisfaction.

‘As the Fire and Rescue Finn Kayaks team, we all camp tighter on the Friday and Saturday nights and the camaraderie and friendships taken and made on the river will never be taken away.’

He said it was an important event to take part in.

‘With the nature of our employment, the duties we perform involve interacting with the community on a daily basis,’ he said.

‘Involvement in community events such as this allows us to foster our relationship with the community outside of our normal daily roles.’